UA honors outstanding alumni, friends at annual gala

05/16/2014

The University of Akron Alumni Association continued a 53-year tradition on May 15 as more than 300 people gathered at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn for the Alumni and Friends Gala. The event recognizes outstanding alumni and friends whose work – both personal and professional – has contributed significantly to advancing the mission of the University.

John Adams ’88, a wealth management advisor with Northwestern Mutual Financial, served as emcee, and Phil Hoffman '85, '90, and '08, general manager of the University's School of Communication Z-TV television station, served as orator.

2014 recipients

Alumni Honor Award Recipient

Dr. Michele L. Campbell ’02

COO, LRMR Marketing
Executive Director
The LeBron James Family Foundation

Dr. Michele Campbell is a loyal friend and supporter of both The University of Akron and the Akron community at large. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Ashland University and her master’s degree from Kent State University. After completing these degrees, Dr. Campbell turned her educational aspirations towards the success of others and began her career at The University of Akron in 1993.

Dr. Campbell served The University of Akron as Coordinator of Greek Affairs, Associate Director of the Student Union, Interim Director of the Student Union, and eventually as the Assistant Dean for Student Life.

During this time, Dr. Campbell continued her own education, earning a Ph.D. in educational administration UA in 2002.

In 2006, Dr. Campbell brought her passion for education and helping others to the LeBron James Family Foundation. She began working as the Chief Operating Officer of the LRMR Management Company and, simultaneously, as the Executive Director of the LeBron James Family Foundation.

In this new role, Dr. Campbell championed the importance of education, especially for children in Akron. Dr. Campbell and the LeBron James Family Foundation have created tangible and positive changes in the lives of children and have worked towards reducing the drop-out rate of high school students in the Akron community.

Additionally, Dr. Campbell has used her position as Executive Director to promote the “Wheels for Education” program for the past 3 years. This is an ambitious and innovative program that provides over 600 third-graders with the programs, support services, and mentors needed to succeed in school. Furthermore, Dr. Campbell has promoted these policies on a national level and has helped establish the I PROMISE network, which brings together community and civic leaders who support student success.

The University of Akron is grateful for Dr. Campbell’s support of education in the Akron area and her philanthropic spirit.

Alumni Honor Award Recipient

Dennis Gartman ’72

Founder
Editor/Publisher
The Gartman Letter, L.C.

Mr. Dennis Gartman’s professional pursuits have taken him away from Northeast Ohio, but he has remained a loyal alumnus and supporter of The University of Akron. Born and raised in the Akron area, he graduated cum laude from The University of Akron in 1972 with his bachelor’s degree in English. Today, Mr. Gartman is a widely-respected expert on economics and financial markets and has lectured on capital market creation to central banks and finance ministries throughout the world. He appears often on CNBC, ROB-TV and Bloomberg television, sharing his financial expertise with a large television audience.

He began his financial career in 1974 at Cotton, Inc., where he analyzed supply and demand trends in the U.S. textile markets. Soon after, he joined NCNB National Bank, and started trading foreign exchange and money market instruments. In the late 1970s, Mr. Gartman was named the Chief Financial Futures Analyst for A.G. Beckler & Company. He served as an independent member of the Chicago Board of Trade and, in 1984, accepted a position with Sovran Bank, running the futures brokerage operation.

In 1987, he founded The Gartman Letter, a successful and influential daily financial trading commentary that informs and offers guidance on global political, economic, and technical trends. He continues to publish The Gartman Letter today.

Mr. Gartman has always supported education, and has used his expertise to teach classes for the Federal Reserve Banks’ School for Examiners. That he believes strongly in higher education is demonstrated by his involvement with and support of The University of Akron. In 2010, he established an endowed scholarship in honor of a beloved professor, the late Dr. Sally K. Slocum. In 2011, Mr. Gartman served as a panelist for The Economy, a panel presented by The College of Business Administration, The Buchtel College of Arts and Science, the Finance Advisory Board, and the Department of Economics.

Currently, Mr. Gartman gives generously of his time and expertise as an adviser to the Investment Committee of The University of Akron Foundation. In addition to The University of Akron, Mr. Gartman serves with and supports a number of civic, charitable, and artistic institutions.

Honorary Alumni Award Recipient

Salma Gibara

Mrs. Salma Gibara has a diverse multicultural background. She was born in Cairo, Egypt, into an industrial family of Lebanese descent. She earned her higher education from the College of Liberal Arts at the American University in Cairo and from St. Godrich’s College in London, from which she graduated in 1964. She also attended the College of Political Science at the University of Casablanca.

In 1968 Salma married Sam Gibara. Mr. Gibara’s career at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company took them to various cities around the world, including Paris, Casablanca, Brussels and Toronto. In Paris Mrs. Gibara, who speaks 3 languages, worked as Bilingual Executive Assistant to Christian Dior’s President of Global Licensing. Later, she partnered with an Interior Decorator.

In 1992, Mr. Gibara’s career brought them to Goodyear’s Headquarters in Akron, Ohio, where the Gibara’s quickly became involved in the community, supporting several civic and cultural organizations.

At Ann Brennan’s suggestion, she served as an active member of the Akron Symphony Orchestra where she co-chaired major fundraising events and endowed a musical instrument chair. At Jim and Maureen Kovach’s invitation, she and her husband Sam contributed with them to the Akron University Steinway piano competition.

In the context of the United Way Alexis de Tocqueville Society, and, at Judy Reed’s initiative, Mrs. Gibara joined TWIC, an organization of Summit County, to support, educate and empower women and children.

For a short period, Mrs. Gibara also served as a member of the Director’s Circle at the Akron Art Museum.

Salma has demonstrated her passion for higher education by her generosity to the University of Akron. She and her husband have established a bequest to fund the Gibara International Business fellowship.

She has also provided funds in support of study-abroad scholarship opportunities for Honors College students.

Alumni Honor Award Recipient

Russ Pry ’84

Summit County Executive
Summit County, OH

Born and raised in Summit County, Mr. Russ Pry has devoted much of his professional and personal life to serving Summit County residents. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Kent State University, and finished his formal schooling with a Juris Doctorate from The University of Akron School of Law in 1984.

Mr. Pry has a long history of public service. He was a Councilman for the Village of Mogadore, the Chair of the Village of Mogadore Charter Review Commission, and is a life member and past Treasurer of the Mogadore Historical Society. He served as a member of the Summit County Board of Elections and an Akron-Summit County Library Board of Trustee. And from 1990 to 2007, Mr. Pry was managing partner in the Law Office of Cassetty, Muse, and Pry.

In 2007, Mr. Pry was elected Summit County Executive, the position he currently holds. This position is one of great responsibility and leadership.

He oversees the county departments of Administrative Services, Communications, Community and Economic Development, Environmental Services, Finance and Budget, Human Resources, Insurance and Risk Management, Job and Family Services, Law, and the Summit County Medical Examiner.

Mr. Pry has been recognized many times for his excellent character and service record. He won the 2001 State of Ohio Democrat of the Year Award and was the 2002 recipient of the Mogadore Alumni Foundation Outstanding Alumni Award. He was selected to receive the 2003 Harold K. Stubbs Field of Law Award and was named to Inside Business Magazine’s 2012 Power 100 for Northeast Ohio.

Honorary Alumni Award Recipients

Dr. H. Reid Wagstaff andMrs. Susan Smucker Wagstaff

Dr. H. Reid and Mrs. Susan Smucker Wagstaff are cherished and treasured friends of The University of Akron. Mrs. Wagstaff’s family has a long history of involvement with the University. Her father, Paul Smucker, was a co-founder of Wayne College. The Wagstaffs have continued this family tradition through a lifetime of giving to The University of Akron.

Recently, the main thoroughfare of Wayne College was renamed The H. Reid and Susan Smucker Wagstaff Way, to recognize their support.

The Wagstaffs also donate their time and expertise to the University. Mrs. Wagstaff has served as a distinguished member of The University of Akron Foundation’s Stewardship Committee. Her advice and vision have nurtured an entire community of benefactors, which has helped to shape The University of Akron’s mission of service and education. Additionally, Mrs. Wagstaff is a trustee of the Willard E. Smucker Foundation and also serves as a family advisor to the J.M. Smucker Company.

Both of the Wagstaffs have been involved in higher education in a variety of ways. They both graduated from The University of Michigan, from which Dr. Wagstaff earned his Ph.D. He taught at Eastern Michigan University and Arizona State University for 14 years. After that, he left academia to begin a career as an executive for the J.M. Smucker Company, where he enjoyed a 25 year career. There, Dr. Wagstaff led the technical service area as the Director of Fruit Procurement prior to being named the Vice President of Government and Environmental Affairs in 1994.

The Wagstaffs have been generous to the greater Akron community and beyond. Their involvement includes Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Museum of Art.

Their service reaches beyond the Akron area and includes the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Carmel Bach Festival in California, the Sunset Cultural Center, the West Coast Alumni Council of Michigan, and the University of Michigan Dean’s Advisory Council of the Stamps School of Art and Design.

The Wagstaffs support education at all levels, primary through post-secondary. They provide generous scholarship aid to Wayne College students and to students at other institutions.

Outgoing Board of Trustees Member

Nicholas C. York

Mr. Nicholas York has served on the Board of Trustees for four years, including a time as Vice Chair. He has been an essential member of the Board, serving on a number of committees, including the Academic Issues & Students Success Committee, the Finance & Administration Committee, and the Personnel & Compensation Committee.

Additionally, he is Chair of both the Strategic Issues Committee and the Presidential Transition Committee, which has kept him very busy lately!

Final remarks from President Proenza

"They say university presidents come and go, but institutions and their alumni are what ultimately endure,” remarked President Luis M. Proenza, who went on to extol the numerous and successful UA alumni he has encountered during his 15 years as president.

"When I arrived here in 1988, one of the many under-celebrated areas of excellence I discovered was a proud and reliable alumni base,” he said.

"You can learn much about an institution by observing its alumni. What a delight it was for me to discover among the ranks of Akron’s alumni – CEOs, presidents, judges, mayors, congressmen, generals – and virtually any type of leader you care to mention in the sciences, the arts, medicine, and health care, and at all levels of business."

"I am grateful for every one of you,” he said, “for your support and goodwill over the years. Always, I will treasure my experiences here.”

About the awards

UA’s Alumni Honor Award recognizes individuals who have achieved distinction in their chosen fields or for demonstrated loyal and active interest in their alma mater. Friends who have rendered valuable and conspicuous service to the University and/or the community are elected Honorary Alumni.